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One of the original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company Unilever stopped the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor as part of an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company

The recent development escalates the ongoing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders maintain how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

The founder stated how he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been compromised after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and ethical values